Manchester United's season finally got under way in style as they put four past Harry Redknapp's QPR.
New signings Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera both scored their first goals for the club as United romped to a comfortable victory.
Louis van Gaal chose to leave new signing Radamel Falcao on the bench with Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie given the nod up front.
There were debuts for Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo as well as a first home start for Angel Di Maria as van Gaal selected a very attacking line up.
United started with plenty of purpose, moving the ball quickly with Di Maria seeing plenty of the ball.
Mata shot over after good play down the right between Rafael and Herrera, whilst Rojo and Di Maria were causing problems down the United left for their opponents.
Despite United having the vast majority of possession they hadn't really carved out any real chances on goal, with Robert Green still to be tested.
Rio Ferdinand, returning to Old Trafford for the first time since his summer move, was having a solid game in the heart of the QPR defence as the Londoners started to settle more into the game.
But just when it seemed QPR had weathered the early storm they gave a free kick away and Angel Di Maria's perfect delivery evaded everyone to give United a lead they fully deserved.
The goal seemed to give the home side a boost in confidence and they started to zip the ball around with increased vigour.
Clint Hill was fortunate to get away with a clumsy challenge on Herrera as United looked to turn the screw.
Van Persie headed over from a Di Maria cross, but it was QPR who almost silenced the crowd.
De Gea came for the ball outside his area and failed to make it, but Jonny Evans was on hand to clear Phillips's goal-bound effort away.
United though have proven world class players to call upon, and they extended their lead with 10 minutes to go in the first half.
There was no danger as Di Maria collected the ball midway inside his own half and started to run at speed at the QPR defence.
The Argentine found Rooney, who's effort was blocked, but the United captain was able to tee up Herrera at the edge of the area and he speared his effort into the bottom corner to double United's advantage.
Just before the break United added a third, with captain Rooney getting on the scoresheet.
Herrera found Rooney on the edge of the area, but he wasn't closed down and the skipper had time to shoot low and hard past Green at his near post.
It was Rooney's 175th Premier League goal, putting him level third on the all-time list with Thierry Henry.
QPR made a better start to the second half, Traore finding Kranjcar on the edge of the area, but his effort was well saved by de Gea.
United, though, were intent on making a statement and they almost added a fourth as Rafael got behind the QPR defence down the right, but neither Mata nor Rooney could beat Green.
Di Maria was having a brilliant game and just before the hour turned provider again.
This time it was for Mata, who was left unmarked in the area and was able to take a touch before tucking the ball over Green to make it 4-0.
It was almost becoming the Di Maria show as the Argentine put in a brilliant pass to find van Persie, who was unable to find the finishing touch to a difficult volley.
Just when it couldn't get much worse for QPR the United manager decided to bring on Radamel Falcao for the final 24 minutes.
Falcao replaced Mata, with Rooney dropping into the hole behind the Colombian and van Persie.
The new arrival’s every touch was cheered by the Old Trafford faithful, but it was strike partner van Persie who almost added to the goal tally as his cross flicked off the bar.
Vargas almost pulled a goal back as Blackett allowed the ball to run past his body and the QPR striker got the wrong side, but his shot was wide of de Gea's far post.
The tempo had dropped considerably, but Blind tested Green from distance and Falcao's follow up was well saved by the QPR keeper.
United almost added icing into the cake as they cut QPR apart again, but van Persie's pull back was behind Falcao and Januzaj's effort was blocked.
Januzaj then wasted an opportunity with van Persie and Falcao in better positions, but van Gaal can be well pleased with his team's performance.
On this display the new signings will have pleased the boss and they will surely improve as they bed in more fully and get used to the style of play required of them.
There may be sterner tests to come, but United seem like they are starting to get back in business.
Written by Andrew
New signings Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera both scored their first goals for the club as United romped to a comfortable victory.
Louis van Gaal chose to leave new signing Radamel Falcao on the bench with Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie given the nod up front.
There were debuts for Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo as well as a first home start for Angel Di Maria as van Gaal selected a very attacking line up.
United started with plenty of purpose, moving the ball quickly with Di Maria seeing plenty of the ball.
Mata shot over after good play down the right between Rafael and Herrera, whilst Rojo and Di Maria were causing problems down the United left for their opponents.
Despite United having the vast majority of possession they hadn't really carved out any real chances on goal, with Robert Green still to be tested.
Rio Ferdinand, returning to Old Trafford for the first time since his summer move, was having a solid game in the heart of the QPR defence as the Londoners started to settle more into the game.
But just when it seemed QPR had weathered the early storm they gave a free kick away and Angel Di Maria's perfect delivery evaded everyone to give United a lead they fully deserved.
The goal seemed to give the home side a boost in confidence and they started to zip the ball around with increased vigour.
Clint Hill was fortunate to get away with a clumsy challenge on Herrera as United looked to turn the screw.
Van Persie headed over from a Di Maria cross, but it was QPR who almost silenced the crowd.
De Gea came for the ball outside his area and failed to make it, but Jonny Evans was on hand to clear Phillips's goal-bound effort away.
United though have proven world class players to call upon, and they extended their lead with 10 minutes to go in the first half.
There was no danger as Di Maria collected the ball midway inside his own half and started to run at speed at the QPR defence.
The Argentine found Rooney, who's effort was blocked, but the United captain was able to tee up Herrera at the edge of the area and he speared his effort into the bottom corner to double United's advantage.
Just before the break United added a third, with captain Rooney getting on the scoresheet.
Herrera found Rooney on the edge of the area, but he wasn't closed down and the skipper had time to shoot low and hard past Green at his near post.
It was Rooney's 175th Premier League goal, putting him level third on the all-time list with Thierry Henry.
QPR made a better start to the second half, Traore finding Kranjcar on the edge of the area, but his effort was well saved by de Gea.
United, though, were intent on making a statement and they almost added a fourth as Rafael got behind the QPR defence down the right, but neither Mata nor Rooney could beat Green.
Di Maria was having a brilliant game and just before the hour turned provider again.
This time it was for Mata, who was left unmarked in the area and was able to take a touch before tucking the ball over Green to make it 4-0.
It was almost becoming the Di Maria show as the Argentine put in a brilliant pass to find van Persie, who was unable to find the finishing touch to a difficult volley.
Just when it couldn't get much worse for QPR the United manager decided to bring on Radamel Falcao for the final 24 minutes.
Falcao replaced Mata, with Rooney dropping into the hole behind the Colombian and van Persie.
The new arrival’s every touch was cheered by the Old Trafford faithful, but it was strike partner van Persie who almost added to the goal tally as his cross flicked off the bar.
Vargas almost pulled a goal back as Blackett allowed the ball to run past his body and the QPR striker got the wrong side, but his shot was wide of de Gea's far post.
The tempo had dropped considerably, but Blind tested Green from distance and Falcao's follow up was well saved by the QPR keeper.
United almost added icing into the cake as they cut QPR apart again, but van Persie's pull back was behind Falcao and Januzaj's effort was blocked.
Januzaj then wasted an opportunity with van Persie and Falcao in better positions, but van Gaal can be well pleased with his team's performance.
On this display the new signings will have pleased the boss and they will surely improve as they bed in more fully and get used to the style of play required of them.
There may be sterner tests to come, but United seem like they are starting to get back in business.
Written by Andrew